El Siglo newspaper reports that Minister of Foreign Relations of Taiwan Jason Hu put aside his protocolar speech on the day of the decorations to improvise and better express his feelings of gratitude for the support of the Dominican people to the people of Taiwan. Minister Hu highlighted how President Fernandez was the first statesman to visit after the earthquake, a demonstration of the sincerity of the bilateral relations and the concern of Dominicans for the situation that affects that country. On the last day of his stay, President Fernandez visited the disaster area, requesting a minibus and not the usual limousine, to not call attention. Minister Hu commented that President Fernández was the only visiting statesman to ever travel in Taiwan using a minibus. Visibly moved, Minister Hu pointed out that President Fernández’s support was a way to tell Taiwan that they are not alone, that the entire world, as well as Dominican friends, are behind them. President Fernández, who was accompanied by Monsignor Agripino Núñez called a minute of prayer for those that had died and for those that were recovering, when visiting the disaster area. The DR also made a US$100,000 contribution to the recovery of Taiwan. President Fernández also visited the Sun brothers in a hospital, urging these to a quick recovery so they could return to their studies and work. The brothers survived six days under debris.
